The Ghana Statistical Service estimates that if the tourism sector is used to its maximum capacity, the government may produce almost $1.5 billion by 2027.
The Service goes on to say that by creating job opportunities, expanding the industry could aid in addressing the problem of unemployment amongst the youth.
Government statistician Professor Samuel Kobina Annim stated at the 2023 Domestic and Outbound Survey’s inauguration in Winneba that the survey would give a thorough assessment of the tourist industry to help guide policy decisions.
“It is projected that by 2027 we are going to have about 4.3 million people who will come into the country as tourist arrivals,” he said.
“All that Ghana Statistical Service is doing is to ensure that we have good tourism data and the Domestic and Outbound Survey is one of the four activities we’re going to do in the course of the year,” he added.
“Why we are doing that is to be clear in our minds as a country the way we engage with statistics. It is important that every ministry will have its policy document, strategy and plans to have clear statistical targets”.
He added, “If we manage the sector well, we could attract about $1.5 billion from the tourism sector by 2027. This sector has the potential to generate almost half of the funds we are currently seeking from the IMF.”